As the Indian Government desperately tries to resolve the continuing face-off in ladakh, China continued to act tough and refused to give any timeline for pulling back its troops. Beijing also warned that it would not ignore “provocation” from India.
Refusing to give any timeline for withdrawal of its troops from Depsang Valley in ladakh, China said the issue that has sparked new tensions in bilateral ties “will be properly resolved soon through negotiations”.
“You raised a very specific question and I want to reiterate that Chinese troops carry out normal patrols on the Chinese side of the line of Actual Control (lAC) between India and China,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying told a media briefing.
She was replying to a question about how long the Chinese troops intend to stay put at the Daulat Beg Oldi sector, where they have pitched tents.
“China and India are talking about the issue for a complete and appropriate settlement of the matter”, she said referring to the current rounds of negotiations between the army officials as well as the new mechanism formed by both the countries last year to address specific issues relating to the border.
BJP MPs from both the Houses of Parliament will meet President Pranab Mukherjee in the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday to demand appropriate action against Chinese incursion in the ladakh region.
All BJP MPs from lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been asked by the party top brass to be a part of the delegation that will meet Mukherjee in afternoon.
BJP parliamentary party chief lK Advani, leader of the opposition in lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley and party president Rajnath Singh will lead the delegation.
Sticking to its stand that the Chinese patrol had not intruded into Depsang Valley on April 15, Beijing did not confirm External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s visit and said the information about it will be “released in due course.”
As a practice, China officially announces the visit of a foreign dignitary a day or two before the event.
Asked whether China objected to any bunkers and trenches constructed by Indian troops, she said:”China is firmly opposed to any action that crosses the lAC.”
Stating that the standoff will be solved soon through negotiations, she said the two sides are in close communication and contact with each other though relevant mechanisms.
“We have further understanding of each other’s position. Both sides are willing to, and capable of solving this issue though friendly negotiations to maintain the peace and tranquility of the border areas and maintain the stable and sound development of China-India relations,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Chinese official daily Global Times criticized the Indian media and Opposition parties for “creating trouble” for Sino-India ties and blamed New Delhi for “maintaining silence and ambiguity” over “provocative” reports of intrusion by Chinese troops into Depsang Valley.
“Indian media and Opposition politicians have been reporting that Chinese soldiers intruded on Indian-claimed territory and erected tents inside Indian borders,” the ruling Communist Party run paper said in an editorial.
“Such reports run along the same lines as those in 2009 that alleged Chinese soldiers had entered into India and painted the rocks with red spray paint,” it said.
However, the reality is that communication over border issues between China and India has usually been smooth. Officials from both sides speak highly about the peaceful state of border areas, it said.
“There have been discrepancies between the two concerning the exact position of the lAC. Troops from both sides patrol around their claimed border lines, but both try to avoid causing any real frictions,” it said.
“The Indian Government ought to clarify the so-called “intrusion” in a timely way and assume the responsibility of maintaining a good atmosphere. However, it has not done so. It has remained silent and ambiguous, which indulges Indian media habits,” it said.
In New Delhi, the Government tried to play down the incursion and External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said: “There is no doubt that this is a matter of concern but this is an incident which is limited in geography.”
Asked if Khurshid’s visit to China on May 9 was on or off, Akbaruddin said: “The External Affairs Minister has said that he intends to go there and that is the last word.”
Asked whether the Chinese Prime Minister would visit India, the spokesperson said: “We are working out appropriate dates and discussions are at an advanced stage. Once they are finalised, we will let you know.”